David Warner and Usman Khawaja have made a pact to not depart the sport collectively to make sure Australia doesn’t tumble right into a black gap it is aware of too effectively.
There is a prospect this SCG Test towards South Africa will likely be their final five-dayer on residence soil although neither has made a agency choice on their future.
And, as as Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne put South Africa to the sword as soon as once more, Warner mentioned that they had spoken about staggering their retirements.
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5.01PM: WICKET! MARNUS’ LUCK RUNS OUT
quarter-hour after play resumes beneath gloomy skies, and Marnus Labuschagne’s luck runs out.
He will get a ripper of a supply from Anirch Nortje, and the Aussie No.3 will get an edge by means of to the keeper as he tries to fend the ball away.
He goes for 79…. and the very subsequent ball, with Steve Smith arriving on the crease, and the umpires name for unhealthy gentle once more.
If solely Marnus Labuschagne had survived yet another supply… the luck from the Summer of Marnus has lastly run out. And his face says all of it.
And the hessian comes again on. The punters at the moment are heading for the exit. They suppose that’s all she wrote, right this moment. And they could possibly be proper.
4.40PM – PLAY…. GETTING CLOSER?
Stop me for those who’ve heard this earlier than. But the umpires have had one other gentle inspection, and they’re now glad that it’s secure to play.
Players could have one other fast warm-up and we could possibly be again underway shortly.
Unless, after all, the sunshine deterioriates within the subsequent ten minutes. Or the rain returns.
Scheduled restart is 4.45pm.
4.00PM – ‘YOU CAN’T FILL THAT VOID’: WARNER’S RETIREMENT PROMISE
David Warner and Usman Khawaja have made a pact to not depart the sport collectively to make sure Australia doesn’t tumble right into a black gap it is aware of too effectively.
Australia went 4 years with out successful a sequence after Greg Chappell, Rod Marsh and Dennis Lillee retired collectively on the SCG towards Pakistan in 1984.
Times weren’t as determined after Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne give up collectively towards England on the SCG in 2006 however Australia wobbled nonetheless.
Australia’s late chairman of selectors Laurie Sawle as soon as mentioned Australia should be taught from the Lillee-Marsh-Chappell exits that each effort have to be made to make sure distinctive gamers don’t depart the sport on the identical time.
The message appears to have gotten by means of to openers Warner and Khawaja, each 36, who first performed collectively after they have been seven.
There is a prospect this SCG Test towards South Africa will likely be their final five-dayer on residence soil although neither has made a agency choice on their future.
Warner failed after an early edge on the primary morning whereas Khawaja, who seemed like a pushed man within the nets earlier than the sport, once more excelled on a floor which was a stone’s throw away from the place he grew up.
“We’re going to enjoy the next 12 months, enjoy it as much as we can,’’ Warner told Fox Cricket.
“For us it’s about not leaving this team with a big hole. I know through those five-year transition period when a lot of the greats left, they’re big holes to fill with the amount of games you play.
“We always talk about games played and how much that means into a team’s performance and perspective with experience. You can’t fill that void.”
Life past Khawaja and Warner stays a difficult puzzle for Australia with a number of worthy choices however none who instantly counsel they’re of the elite high quality of the lads they may substitute.
Matt Renshaw, Marcus Harris and South Australia’s Henry Hunt are the main choices.
“We’ve got great players coming through with Renshaw now coming back into the fold,” Warner added.
“He spoke about learning his lessons from when he first came in, which is awesome.
“Marcus Harris has 15 to 20 Tests under his belt. He’s got that experience, now it’s taking that game to the next level for him and establishing his spot.
“The team is in a great spot for when we decide to leave, or get tapped on the shoulder.”
3.45PM: BAD LIGHT… AGAIN STOPS PLAY
I used to be mistaken. I’ve failed you. Playe was set to renew – I promise! – just for the umpires to knock the bails off after doing a check on the sunshine on provide on the SCG.
Unfortunately it didn’t hit the requisite numbers and South Africa have been turned again to the sheds regardless of there being no rain falling on the SCG.
3.40PM: PLAY CLOSE TO RESUMING
We’re going to get again on the market tonight, with the rain stopped, the covers cleared and the gamers able to go.
We’ll provide you with up to date session instances when we’ve got them, however in the mean time there are 47 overs remaining to be be bowled right this moment – and provisions to increase play past the scheduled ending level of 5.30pm.
Australia resume at 1-138, with Usman Khawaja on 51 and Marnus Labuschagne on 73 with yet one more century in sight.
3.10PM: MARNUS’ STRANGE SMOKO REQUEST
There’s no specific climate replace from the SCG – the rain has eased through the tea break, however the groundstaff and heavy covers stay unmoved.
So let’s return and take a look at one other weird Marnus Labuschagne second, of which there are a lot of throughout each Test.
On his solution to yet one more half-century earlier right this moment, the Australian No.3 grew to become distracted and annoyed by some free material in his helmet and motioned to the sheds for help – by motioning that he needed a cigarette.
“There must’ve been a few frayed bits of material coming from the helmet and perhaps just getting into his eyeline,” Michael Hussey mentioned on Fox Cricket.
“So he just used the lighter to burn them.
“The 12th man’s going be asking the guy next to him “what’s he want?” (as Marnus motions for a cigarette).”
As ever, Kerry O’Keeffe had his personal distinctive tackle what Labuschagne’s gesture meant.
“I don’t now what they’re smoking, but I’m happy out here,” mentioned O’Keeffe, getting contained in the thoughts of Marnus.
“With Dean Elgar’s field placement and where they’re bowling…”
When that footage was performed on the large screens across the floor, followers got a mild reminder that the SCG is a no smoking, no vaping venue.
It’s unclear who within the Australian dressing room had such fast entry to a cigarette lighter, nevertheless.
2.45PM: WEATHER UPDATE: IT’S BAD
An early tea has been taken on the SCG, the place unhealthy gentle stopped play halfway by means of the center serssion.
But in additional ominous indicators, the covers are popping out to guard the pitch. And we’re not simply speaking in regards to the hessian this time – the heavy covers are out, now.
Rain was predicted to hit early afternoon and clearly the groundstaff really feel it’s nearly right here.
There’s loads of rain – and hail – coming in from western Sydney so it may solely be a matter of time right here.
Fans have been instructed over the loudspeakers that we’ve got unhealthy climate within the space and to “seek shelter from exposed areas”.
That doesn’t sound good to me. And two minutes later…. THE HEAVEN’S EXPLODE.
People have been despatched scrambling for the exits because the rain hammers down on the SCG.
2.20PM: PLAY STOPPED FOR BAD LIGHT
Bit of a delay right here on the SCG – unhealthy gentle has stopped play.
After taking drinks within the center session, Australia are 1-138, with Usman Khawaja on 31 and Marnus Labuschagne on 73… however that’s the place it’ll keep for the second.
Because the clouds have taken over. It’s not raining, however it’s extremely gloomy on the SCG proper now.
The lights have been on since earlier than the beginning of this session, however it’s nonetheless troublesome for the batsmen and Australia have taken the provide to move again to the sheds.
It ought to give each side time to observe the controversial no-catch which gave Labuschagne – the luckiest batsman on the planet? – one other life right this moment.
2.05PM: MARNUS SURVIVES AS TENSIONS RISE AT SCG
South Africa suppose they’ve Marnus Labuschagne out caught within the slips to a implausible low catch by Simon Harper off Marco Jansen.
It’s low, and the mushy sign is out as the choice was despatched to the TV umpires, however after a
an extended delay it’s confirmed that Labuschange will survive – on 70 – in a call that has upset South Africa.
“They felt they had their man. Simon Harmer thought he pouched it…” says Adam Gilchrist of South Africa’s response to the not-out verdict.
On front-on imaginative and prescient, it appears to be like it could possibly be out. Side on, it seems the ball bounces simply earlier than it reaches Harmer’s fingers.
“They’d be spewing, the South Africans,” says Proteas nice Shaun Pollock.
Meanwhile, Usman Khawaja passes 50.
1.35PM: MARNUS POSTS 50, AUSTRALIA 100
After a gritty first session – punctuated with a little bit of Covid news, that you just may need heard – Australia have opened the shoulders a little bit bit after lunch.
Across the final 10 overs they’ve lifted the runrate to 4.1, and it’s coming from Australia attacking South Africa’s spinners.
Marnus Labuschange creamed his ninth boundary, off Kagiso Rabada relatively than one of many spinners, to convey up his half-century from 102 balls – which additionally raised the 100 for Australia.
The following over Labuschagne thumped back-to-back boundaries off Keshav Maharaj – making if 5 boundaries off his previous 12 deliveries.
1.25PM: WATCH: SKULL’S PERFECT TAKE ON ZAMPA MANKAD
1.13PM: KHAWAJA SAVED AS PLAY RESUMES AT CLOUDY SCG
Play is again underway on the SCG, regardless of fears through the lunch break that rain may play a job right away within the afternoon session.
The hessian got here out to guard the wicket in case of rain as darkish clouds came to visit the SCG – prompting the stadium lights to be unleashed amid the gloom.
Upon the resumption, Usman Khawaja is gunned for LBW – making an attempt a reverse sweep towards Simon Harmer on simply the second ball of the session.
Khawaja instantly critiques and is saved by DRS as replays present there was loads of glove earlier than it hit the pads.
Still, legendary Australian captain Allan Border is unimpressed.
“First ball you face after lunch and you pull out the reverse sweep, I just question that decision,” says Border in commentary for Fox Cricket.
“It’s not so much the shot… it’s just the timing of the shot (straight after lunch).”
12.30PM: AUSTRALIA FIGHTS BACK AT SCG
Australia has rebuilt after the early lack of David Warner on the primary morning of the Sydney Test, with Marnus Labuschagne “setting up a tent” on the SCG.
Fox Cricket commentator Ian Smith mentioned Labuschagne, 30 not out at lunch, had the look of a person who was organising camp and going nowhere after batting fantastically.
Usman Khawaja – who made twin centuries on the SCG final summer season – is once more settling in on his favorite pitch to be unbeaten on 25 on the break with Australia 1-68.
It was an important toss for Australia to win on a deck they really feel may deteriorate because the match and make batting treacherous.
Warner was out for 10 when he slashed at an Anrich Nortje supply and was caught at slip within the fourth over.
11.55AM: PROOF THE WORLD HAS CHANGED
Want proof that the world has moved on from Covid? This is perhaps the picture that ends the talk.
Last summer season Pat Cummins missed a Test as a result of he had a momentary encounter with a Covid-position acquantaince – falling sufferer to the dreaded ‘close contact’ ruling.
Now, you possibly can check constructive throughout a Test, proceed to play your function within the Australian workforce and make your approach across the SCG with no masks.
11.35AM: AUSSIES STEADY THEMSELVES BEFORE DRINKS
After a wild begin to the day – with Matt Renshaw’s Covid announcement coming shortly after David Warner’s early wicket – Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja have settled issues down on the SCG.
On a wicket that appears prefer it won’t be batsman-friendly the entire approach by means of this Test, Australia reached 1-30 after the primary hour’s play.
It’s a tough graft, with Khawaja on 12 from 42 balls and Labuschagne an much more affected person 6 from 31.
Their slow-scoring adopted a brisk 10 from David Warner, earlier than he fell to Anrich Nortje.
11.15AM: AUSSIES ROCKED BY POSITIVE COVID TEST
Australia has been rocked on the opening morning of the SCG Test, with recalled batsman Matt Renshaw confirmed as having Covid.
Renshaw, recalled to bat at No.6 for Australia after years within the wilderness, seemed beneath the climate as gamers warmed up on Wednesday and stood individually from teammates through the Australian anthem.
He’s additionally sitting individually within the workforce dugout, on a plastic chair a number of metres away from teammates.
Renshaw’s constructive RAT check was revealed by Fox Cricket, who confirmed the Queenslander plans to maintain his place within the workforce and continues to be listed to bat at No.6 right this moment.
The news follows Pat Cummins’ addressing the Covid challenge on the eve of the Sydney Test, admitting his shock at having practically escaped the summer season with no Covid constructive within the Australian camp.
“I still don’t know how we haven’t had Covid in our team now I think about it,” Cummins mentioned on Tuesday.
“It feels like we’re back to normal life.”
11.00AM: AUSTRALIAN FEARS OVER ‘UNWELL’ RENSHAW
– PETER LALOR
Australia has misplaced David Warner early and will have misplaced Matthew Renshaw earlier than he faces a ball.
The batsman stood except for the workforce on the anthem and is reportedly “unwell”.
There isn’t any phrase from the workforce on what his sickness is, however the stunning inclusion of Peter Handscomb among the many emergency fielders provides to the intrigue.
Steve Smith was ailing within the lead as much as the MCG Test with the flu.
“The word is that Renshaw’s not feeling 100 per cent today… and didn’t want to get too close and personal with his teammates,” mentioned Adam Gilchrist on Fox Cricket.
Teams are allowed a like for like substitute if a participant is identified with Covid offered the signs happen within the match.
The rule was launched by the ICC “in line with concussion replacements” and permits the match referee to approve the “nearest like-for-like replacement”.
Renshaw was added to the workforce to strengthen the batting after Cam Green suffered a damaged finger in Melbourne.
He has not performed a Test since 2018 however scored 184 on the SCG within the recreation towards Pakistan in 2017.
10.45AM: WICKET! WARNER GOES FROM HERO TO ZERO
You haven’t needed to wait lengthy for a wicket fairly often this sequence, and the SCG crowd is handled to at least one after simply quarter-hour.
Unfortunately, it’s the native boy David Warner. Per week after plundering a double-century in his one hundredth Test, Warner races shortly to 10 earlier than flashing at a wider ball from Anrich Nortje – leading to a thick edge to Marco Jansen at second slip.
Australia 1-12 early within the day.
10.30AM: GAME ON, UNDER OVERCAST SKIES
It wouldn’t be a Sydney Test with out having to spend as a lot time wanting on the climate radar because the motion within the center – and it appears to be like like this yr will likely be no totally different.
I can inform that that the circumstances on the floor are heat, and humid. Which, mixed with a little bit of cloud cowl, may present some alternatives for South Africa’s seam bowlers this morning on a pitch that doesn’t appear to be it’s going to be particularly enjoyable to bat on.
And whereas it’s not raining this morning, there are some showers anticipated this afternoon – so hopefully we are able to get a good quantity of cricket in earlier than Sydney’s skies do their factor.
Australia will open with Usman Khawaja, who will face the primary ball, and David Warner, in his a hundred and first Test match and on the again of a shocking double century.
10.15AM: CUMMINS EXPLAINS TWO-SPIN STRATEGY
Australian captain Pat Cummins admitted it was a troublesome name to go away out Scott Boland, on prime of already being with out Cameron Green and Mitchell Starc on account of damage.
“It’s always difficult, especially having someone like Scotty. We thought about it. It came down to being confident we can take 20 wickets with the four guys,” Cummins mentioned on the toss.
South Africa has additionally referred to as within the second spinner, with Simon Harmer becoming a member of Keshav Maharaj within the assault.
Cummins defined two spinners was a no brainer – with Ashton Agar referred to as in to play his first ever residence Test – as was selecting to bat first.
“It probably looks a bit more like the traditional SCG wicket,” Cummins mentioned.
“It might turn a little bit so it’s probably at its best on day one.”
Cummins admitted the Test doubled as an opportunity to organize for subsequent month’s tour of India.
“It’s a luxury we have,” Cummins mentioned.
“This is probably as close as we’re going to get in India here in Australia. It’ll be good to see Ash have a go after a little while and Matt as well.”
South African captain Dean Elgar lamented one other toss misplaced.
“I would have also batted but I mean the toss isn’t working is it? It seems a very good wicket here,” Elgar mentioned.
“It looks a little bit drier, hence why both teams have gone with the extra spinner.”
10.00AM: AUSSIES WIN TOSS, BAT
Australia will bat first within the third and remaining Test towards South Africa, after Pat Cummins gained the toss and confirmed a workforce shake-up.
Australia made three adjustments to the XI which dominated the Boxing Day Test, with exiled stars Ashton Agar and Matt Renshaw returning, whereas quick bowler Josh Hazlewood additionally comes again after being sidelined with a aspect pressure.
Two of these adjustments have been pressured by damage after shedding Cameron Green and Mitchell Starc to finger accidents, whereas Scott Boland was not noted.
“Always difficult, especially having someone like Scott who has done so well for us,” Cummins mentioned of Boland’s omission.
Originally printed as third Test Australia vs South Africa: Follow all of the motion from Day 1 on the SCG
